Amazon in talks to launch digital-book library service

New York: Amazon is in talks with publishers for launching a Netflix like service for digital books, where customers would pay an annual fee to access a library, says a media report.

“Amazon.com Inc is talking with book publishers about launching a Netflix Inc like service for digital books, in which customers would pay an annual fee to access a library of content,” The Wall Street Journal reported citing a person familiar with the matter. It is unclear as to how much traction the proposal has, the report said.

Several publishing executives said they are not enthusiastic about the idea because they believe it could lower the value of books and also strain their relationships with other retailers that sell their books, it added.

According to the publication, Amazon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The proposal is another sign that retailers are looking for more ways to deliver content digitally, as customers increasingly read books and watch television on computers, tablets and other electronic devices.

Seattle-based Amazon, which makes the popular Kindle electronic reader, is also expected to release a tablet to rival Apple Inc’s iPad in coming weeks, the daily noted.